The Cambridge-based architects has provided full architectural design and lead consultant services, working alongside Kier Construction for the new development, which will include a two-storey teaching block extension consisting of 12 classrooms, a group room, an improved and extended main entrance, and revised landscape and interior design. 

A colourful exterior

Margherita Cesca, Senior Architect and Project Lead at Saunders Boston Architects, said: “We focused on ensuring the design provided a sense of place for the students, and would help inspire creativity and enthusiasm in the learning environment. To achieve this, we have introduced a bold rainbow theme, which is sophisticatedly displayed in coloured glaze bricks inserted into light grey outer brickwork, with a series of seven coloured windows each representing one of the colours of the rainbow.”

An inspirational interior

Saunders Boston designed an inspirational ‘learning street’ which will connect the classrooms and provide a moment of reflection for students between classes.

Digitising design

The practice used Building Information Modelling (BIM), virtual reality (VR), and architectural modelling to bring the designs to life. The use of such technology not only benefitted the design process, but was also used to inspire the school’s students, who were invited to visualise their dream school through the use of VR – potentially inspiring the students to consider a career in architecture in the future.